The ultra-exclusive Devon Yacht Club in Amagansett was forced to cancel its restaurant service after several of its foreign kitchen staff were kicked out of the US due to visa issues. The club lost its ability to operate on Wednesday and Thursday, but plans to resume limited services on Friday. The problem arose because the H2B visas for the cooks were not approved in time, requiring them to leave the country for at least 60 days before their visas can be renewed. The club's members, who pay $100,000 initiation fees, were offered a limited selection of bar bites during this period.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-27,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The ultra-exclusive Devon Yacht Club in Amagansett, which charges $100,000 in initiation fees, was forced to cancel its restaurant service for multiple days due to visa issues affecting its foreign kitchen staff. The club lost its H2B visa approval, a special visa allowing US employers to hire seasonal or temporary workers from abroad, and the staff was required to leave the country immediately. As a result, the club canceled its Wednesday night dinner service and also suspended food service on Thursday, with plans to resume only for lunch on Friday. The situation has highlighted issues with the visa process for foreign workers in the US, which can lead to unexpected disruptions for businesses relying on them.
Written for “Hamptons Yacht Club Controversy” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
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The article's own words the score was based on. Each is quoted
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Leaning score +0.35 for article 2832 (high confidence, 2 verified quotes) · logged 2026-08-27
An ultra-exclusive Hamptons yacht club catering to the wealthy and well-connected was forced to suspend its members-only restaurant service for multiple days after several of its kitchen staff were booted from the country over visa issues, The Post has learned.
asserted
Post → cater → issues
The swanky oceanfront Devon Yacht Club in Amagansett — which reportedly charges around $100,000 in initiation fees — canceled its Wednesday night dinner service after it lost its foreign cooks, according to a letter sent to members the same day.
uncertain
it → charge → members
Food service was also canceled Thursday and is not expected to be back up and running until Friday’s lunch service, the club informed its deep-pocketed members — a group that once included Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’s parents.
asserted
that → cancel → parents
“The H2B visa approval for our cooks is still not resolved,” the letter obtained by The Post stated, referring to special visas that allow US employers to fill seasonal or temporary positions with foreign nationals.
asserted
employers → resolve → nationals
“It seems that an oversight either by the agent or attorney responsible for submitting our petition or perhaps by the US Immigration Office itself has resulted in a situation where our H2B kitchen staff must leave the country immediately and return to their home countries for at least 60 days before their visas can be renewed,” the notice continued.
asserted
notice → seem → days
“Needless to say, this is causing consternation not only for our Club management and its Members, but also for our hard working staff.”
asserted
this → say → staff
The pricey yacht club offered its high-spending members “a limited selection of bar bites” on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The club said “we are doing our best to rehire the necessary kitchen staff and are confident that we can resume services on Friday – albeit on a somewhat limited basis,” and advised members they will be notified as soon as possible “if circumstances do not allow for Friday services to resume.”
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services → offer → members
Devon Yacht Club did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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Club → respond → comment
The sailing and tennis club — founded in 1908 by the Procter family of Procter & Gamble and the Lever family of Lever Brothers — is located in tony Devon Colony, which has been home to the likes of Paul McCartney, billionaire Michael Novogratz, and Alec Baldwin.
asserted
which → found → McCartney
A source previously told Page Six that the yacht club nestled on the shores of Gardiner’s Bay is known for its exclusivity and secrecy, but is renowned amongst the monied set who are into yachting.
But the high-society haven has experienced choppy waters in recent months as members battle over plans for the club’s future — and whether that includes a full demolition and multimillion-dollar reconstruction or renovations, New York Magazine reported.
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Magazine → tell → demolition
The inner turmoil has leaked into the public view as several members have been expelled, dozens of lawsuits have been filed and members have aired their grievances in online forums and at town meetings.
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members → leak → meetings
In a lawsuit filed on March 9, expelled members from the private club alleged they were booted from the elite spot for rocking the boat by opposing a controversial $35 million redevelopment project and claimed one board member threatened to “gouge out” an opponent’s eyes.
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member → file → eyes
The Post reached out to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the East Hampton Town Police Department for more information but did not immediately receive a response.
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Post → reach → response
Amagansett’s ultra-exclusive Devon Yacht Club was forced to cancel its food service after losing its kitchen staff due to visa issues. Instagram/@thepeachhouseatx
The Post obtained a letter sent to members of the yacht club Wednesday.
asserted
Post → force → club
Obtained by the NY Post
Food services at the club have been suspended until Friday, according to the notice. instagram/@bakosikft
Several kitchen staff were forced to immediately return to their home countries.
uncertain
staff → obtain → countries
